Get moving on best ways to transport dorm belongings

The arrival of a new school year means that many college students will be hauling their belongings in their personal vehicles in order to move into their dorms. But in doing so, police are advising people to store along some safety tips for the ride.

Sgt. Sam Marzban from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office said people should be cautious and not stuff so many things inside their vehicles that they can no longer see what’s around them while driving.

Although Marzban said it’s technically legal for objects to be piled up in the backseat so long as both side mirrors are unobstructed, he said people need to be sure they can merge safely onto roadways while minimizing blind spots.

He also stressed the need for objects to be firmly secure inside the vehicle so that they don’t become projectiles if a sudden stop is required.
“Those items in the vehicle can become projectiles, and they can cause secondary injuries,” he said. “That car is going to stop moving — that bowling ball is going to keep going.”

Unsecured loads on a vehicle’s roof or in a pickup truck’s bed can also pose a hazard if objects become loose, Marzban warned. If police see this, they can pull over a vehicle and ticket the driver for having an unsecured load, he said.

“You don’t want (items) falling off and hitting another vehicle or falling in the roadway,” he said.

As a result, exterior objects need to be snugly and securely tied down or strapped, he said.

“If it’s going to be small objects, a tarp wouldn’t be a bad idea,” he added.

Ashley Allen, general manager at moving company Two Men and a Truck’s Dearborn location, said in an email that it’s more common for students to use their own personal vehicles for moving services.

“Most students I come to meet are unfortunately on a fixed income and unable to afford the luxury of professional movers,” she said. “Our goal is to work with the Universities on a more personal level to ensure we can get their students moved at a decent price.”

For those who choose to use a moving van, Allen said her company is licensed, bonded and insured, and it doesn’t hire day laborers or temp workers.

“We are here to make your move less stressful and see that all your furniture gets moved when/where you want it moved,” Allen said. “ Sometimes friends bail out or are nowhere to find on move day — we won’t bail out and we will be there!”

Find out more about the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office by visiting www.oakgov.com/sheriff or by calling (248) 858-5000. Learn more about Two Men and a Truck in Dearborn by calling (313) 749-1000.